Megara
Megara is a historic town in western Attica, overlooking the Saronic Gulf and set along the ancient route linking Athens to Corint...
Updated 17 July 2026
The story
The story of Megara
Between Athens and Corinth, on the Saronic Gulf
Megara occupies a unique position along the coast of western Attica, facing the Saronic Gulf and set between Athens and Corinth, cities with which it shared centuries of rivalry and exchange. This corridor, historically travelled by armies, merchants and travellers, made Megara an unavoidable passage point between Attica and the Peloponnese. Even today the area retains this vocation as a borderland and transit zone, with the sea opening towards the islands of the Saronic Gulf and the hills sloping down towards the interior. Its proximity to two of the most influential centres of ancient Greece deeply shaped the town's history, pushing it to build a strong identity of its own, able to compete and at times to lead in trade routes and colonisation.
The ancient polis of Megara and its history
In antiquity Megara was one of the most significant city-states of mainland Greece, playing a political and military role that repeatedly pitted it against Athens and Corinth for control of territories and sea routes. Its history is marked by phases of great expansion, in which the polis managed to project its influence well beyond the borders of Attica, and by periods of conflict with more powerful neighbours that shaped its political fortunes. Ancient sources, including the account of the traveller Pausanias, attest to the presence of monuments, cults and local traditions that reflected the city's strong sense of identity. Today Megara's historic centre still holds traces of this past, woven into an urban fabric that continues to live and to tell its own story to those who know where to look among the town's streets.
The legacy of the colonies and the Megarian school
One of the most extraordinary aspects of Megara's history is its ability, in antiquity, to generate colonies that would leave a lasting mark on the Mediterranean. Megara Hyblaea, founded on the eastern coast of Sicily, became a flourishing centre of Magna Graecia, while Megarian settlers took part in the founding of Byzantium, a city that centuries later would become the capital of empires. This drive to project itself beyond the sea speaks to the ambition of a polis that managed to compete with far greater powers. On the intellectual side, Megara was the birthplace of Euclid of Megara, a philosopher and student of Socrates and founder of the so-called Megarian school, a reference point in the history of ancient logic and in philosophical debate on language and truth. A cultural legacy that stands alongside, with equal dignity, the city's military and commercial one.
Agriculture and the onions of Megara
Beyond its ancient grandeur, Megara is today known above all as a lively agricultural centre of western Attica, whose local economy is built on a long tradition of working the land. Its most famous product is undoubtedly the Megara onion, a crop that has brought the town fame throughout Greece and that still represents a strong marker of identity for the local community. The land between sea and hills, well suited to market gardening, has allowed a diversified agriculture to develop, one that is woven into the town's daily life and its markets. Visiting Megara therefore also means coming into contact with this productive dimension, made up of cultivated fields, small producers, and a direct relationship with the land that remains central to the town's identity.
Popular traditions and Byzantine heritage
The cultural life of Megara is marked by popular traditions handed down over generations, among which the traditional dances performed during Easter celebrations stand out, a moment of great community participation in which local costumes, music and choreography bring the town's streets to life. Alongside this intangible heritage, Megara also preserves traces of the Byzantine era, with churches that speak of centuries of faith and religious history in western Attica. This interweaving of the sacred and the popular, of religious rite and collective celebration, makes the town a place where the seasons of the year are still marked by heartfelt, well-attended events, offering visitors the chance to discover a more authentic side of Greece, less tied to major tourist flows.
The coast, the surroundings and how to experience Megara
Megara's territory stretches between a coastline facing the Saronic Gulf and a hilly hinterland offering panoramic views and quiet routes away from tourist traffic. The coastal spots nearby make it possible to alternate swimming and seaside walks with stops in the town centre, where visitors can discover the local market, small shops selling agricultural produce, and traces of the ancient past. For those travelling between Athens and the Peloponnese, Megara works well as a stopover, able to offer an authentic experience in a relatively short time. The combination of ancient history, living traditions and coastal scenery makes the town an ideal destination for those seeking a less-travelled side of Attica, rich in historical and cultural meaning to explore at a leisurely pace.
Experiences not to miss
- Retrace the history of the ancient polis of Megara, rival of Athens and Corinth
- Discover the legacy of Megara's colonies, from Megara Hyblaea to Byzantium, and the figure of Euclid of Megara
- Taste the famous Megara onions and other local agricultural produce
- Experience the traditional Easter dances and visit churches in the Byzantine tradition
- Stroll along the Saronic Gulf coast, between sea views and hinterland hills
To see
What to see in Megara
Routes · Trovido Route
